Boundaries and assertiveness

The setting of boundaries and the expression of assertiveness are key skills for ensuring good interpersonal relationships and protecting mental health; they are the foundation of healthy mental hygiene for each of us.

Setting Boundaries

Hippotherapy activities can provide participants with specific experiences on how to set and respect their boundaries. For instance, during interactions with a horse, participants can decide how close or far they feel comfortable from the horse. If they feel too close and uncomfortable, they can establish a boundary and take a more distant position. The therapist can facilitate discussions on how to set boundaries in relationships with other people and how to recognize situations where it is important to respect them.

Assertiveness

Expressing assertiveness requires the ability to clearly and emphatically state one's needs, opinions, and boundaries while also respecting the needs and boundaries of others. In hippotherapy activities, participants can practice assertiveness in communicating with the horse. For example, they can clearly and emphatically indicate which direction to walk, which exercises to perform, or when to stop. The therapist can lead group discussions and role-playing scenarios where participants practice expressing their boundaries and needs in various situations and scenarios from their daily lives.

In the environment of hippotherapy, participants have the opportunity to experiment with different ways of setting boundaries and expressing assertiveness in a safe and supportive environment. This practical and experiential approach enables participants to better understand and develop these important skills, which they can then apply in their daily lives to create healthy and balanced interpersonal relationships.